I don't like its chances. Price would be too close to the Turbo. Using a base XR6 plus the V8 option at roughly $5000 it would probably cost about $42000 which is about $1000 cheaper than the turbo, which would flog it.

I must admit, I was also looking forward to this model appearing back then, however now some time has past I can not see the logic. The XR6T fills the boots and then some. If Ford boosted the performance of the 220, unless it was as fast as the turbo/SV8, what would be the point? Where would this leave the XR8?

I think the XT 220 is a mightly fine package. For series 2 I would like to see a 10kw boost, however this would be more relevant for fairmont and fairlane sales more than for a performance version XT. The XR6T is just too good a package for a striped out base model V8 to complete with (Holden or Ford).